Senior Manager, External Affairs

At Disney, we‘re storytellers. We make the impossible, possible. We do this through utilizing and developing cutting-edge technology and pushing the envelope to bring stories to life. Now is your chance to join our talented team that delivers unparalleled creative content to audiences around the world!

Are you a strategic leader who understands policy and can develop strategies to enhance relationships and reputation? The Senior Manager, External Affairs will collaborate with community and local, state, and federal leaders to drive business priorities for the Disneyland Resort. This role reports to Director, Government and Industry Relations.

What You Will Do

This role requires strategic thinking, political experience, Orange County community outreach, coalition building experience, understanding of land use and construction project approval process, communications expertise, as well as strong collaboration, project management, communication, and multitasking capabilities. In this role you will construct comprehensive plans to identify strategic opportunities in collaboration with internal leaders across Disney Experiences and key industry/community leaders.
 

A Day in the Life

The key areas of focus for this role include, relationship building, collaboration and partnership, stakeholder engagement, resource coordination, and strategic communications. This position will be responsible for:

• Advocacy: Represent the interests of Disneyland Resort to business leaders, elected officials, public hearings, community meetings and other forums. Enhance and advocate for Disneyland Resort’s reputation in the community while assisting to address community issues and concerns.
• Engagement: Develop and implement innovative strategies to engage Disneyland Resort with community leaders in various initiatives and projects. Organize and facilitate regular meetings, workshops, and events to promote participation and gather input on business concerns. Develop strategies and identify opportunities to enhance Disneyland Resort’s reputation and engagement.
• Relationship Building: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with leaders, relevant elected officials, and community stakeholders. Act as a liaison between Disneyland Resort, elected officials, community leaders and others to actively listening to their concerns, ideas, and feedback, and providing guidance and support in addressing their needs.
• Collaboration and Partnership: Identify opportunities for Disneyland Resort and community leaders. Collaborate with cross-functional Disneyland Resort partners in the development and implementation of key strategies. Work closely with senior leaders, leading the effort to maximize success in the design and implementation of the business strategies.
• Strategic Communications: Develop positioning, messaging and obtain approvals for specific issue-related and other topics as assigned. Partner with external communications team to develop strategic communications plans for various stakeholder audiences as appropriate. Create communication pieces. Prepare reports and presentations to communicate the progress of key initiatives to internal and external stakeholders.
   

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• 7+ years of professional experience in one of the key disciplines: communications, public affairs, or labor relations/outreach
• Prior experience working with unions, community organizing, central labor councils, or worker advocacy organizations
• Proven experience working for elected officials, elections, and/or election committees
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate trends and issues in business and society that affect the Company’s reputation and business
• Excellent written communications skills; excellent verbal skills, including public speaking, meeting facilitation and presentations
• Strong research skills, including ability to analyze and interpret data
• Business savvy and financial acumen
• Proven strong ability to partner, influence and manage conflict
• Demonstrated project management, problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Success in a fast-paced/complex organization
• Resilient and able to adapt to significant challenges
• Strong ability to take initiative, problem-solve, and identify relevant resources
   

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual (written and verbal) English/Spanish
   

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in communication, labor relations, business, political science or related field or equivalent work experience
   

Preferred Education:

• Masters in relevant field (e.g. Public Policy, Business Administration) or Juris Doctorate
   

Additional Information

• Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits
   

Disability accommodation for employment applications

The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, email Candidate.Accommodations@Disney.com with your request. This email address is not for general employment inquiries or correspondence. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.
 

The Walt Disney Company is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

The hiring range for this position in California is $137,000.00 - $180,000.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.